[A simple disk diffusion test to identify beta-lactamase-negative, ampicillin-resistant Haemophilus influenzae--application of cephalexin, cefsulodin and cefaclor disks].

Currently, beta-lactamase-negative (BLN) ampicillin-resistant (AR) strains of Haemophilus influenzae are prevalent in Japan. BLNAR strains are defined by the presence of specific mutation(s) in the ftsI gene but are not phenotypically distinguishable by ampicillin (ABPC) susceptibility. In the present study, we showed that cephalexin (CEX), cefsulodin (CFS), and cefaclor (CCL) disk diffusion tests can be effectively used to identify BLNAR strains.

[Laboratory-based evaluation of significance to routinely use anaerobic blood culture bottles: analysis of positivity and rapidity to detect positive cultures].

The publications in 1990s have indicated decreased recovery rates of obligate anaerobes from blood cultures and have questioned the need for routine anaerobic blood culture bottles. In this study, we compared positivities of the paired aerobic and anaerobic bottles and rapidity to detect positive cultures by two automated blood culture systems, BACTEC 9120 and BacT/ALERT 3D. Of 401 positive readings by BACTEC 9120, 338(84.